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Home My WebLink AboutMiscellaneous Correspondence 1978-12-8 . . . ;i CITY OF SPRINGFIELD SPRINGFIELD. OREGON 97477 PUBLIC WORKS December 8, 1978 346 MAIN STREET 726.3753 Mr. & Mrs. Ted 0, Merydith 980 Prescott Lane Springfield, OR 97477 Dear Mr. & Mrs. Merydith: This letter is in response to your October 30, 1978 letter to the Springfield City Council and Planning Commission, In that letter you cited underground water problems you have experienced at your home since 1977 and you asked that the City's Department of Public Works investigate this matter. . The Department of Public Works has reviewed your situation, but can draw no firm conclusions as to why your property might encounter more subterranean water than it did prior to 1977. They do, however, offer the following comments: (1) Many factors, including earth grading and vegetation removal necessary to accommodate construction of new houses and streets, can alter the flow of underground water. It is not possible to verify that recent construction to the east, west and south of your home has increased the underground water flow or raised the water table on your property. (2) Discussion with Lane County Division of Environmental Health does not definitely conclude that your septic drain field failed solely because of increased ground water, Lane County has indicated that sewage effluent, not just "clear water", is surfacing from the failed drain field. The wet and spongy area on the north side of the house may exist because of sewage effluent, or underground water, or both, The average life of a septic tank system is 15-20 years. It is, there- fore, possible that the usable life of your system expired or was near expiration when you started noticing additional water (or diluted effluent) on your property. By connecting to the public sanitary sewer system, your property will naturally be less wet than in the recent past simply because household water will no longer be transmitted to the soil by the septic tank-drain field system, {,~LiV,,, t -.' ~" , ,. '1- --":: ,li'\ /. ~ /' I~~ -- \.\'2 j-'::: -;, ~ '\ '91~P - , \)t.v 1> 1> t'" CI1'lOf i., SPRIl'l\>flt.lO J::. ?\.~l'll'l\l'l\> '. ,,' ~) , .~. -~ Melith . Mr, ~ Mrs. Ted O. December 8, 1978 Page 2 (3) The two trees that died recently, as well as the third one that appears to be dying, may well have died from excessive underground water. On the other hand, the malfunctioning septic system may have contributed to or even caused the failure of the trees. (4) It is recognized that you are primarily concerned with underground water problems. You should, however, be aware that any surface water flowing onto your property will add to your difficulties, Along this line, you are encouraged to consider participating in an improvement project which would add curb, gutter, sidewalk, and storm drainage facilities along your Prescott Lane frontage. Such improvements would intercept any surface water currently flowing from the east onto your property. If you wish further information regarding this possibility, please contact Mr. Emery Marko, City Engineer. (5) If you find it desirable and feasible to install a sub-surface drainage system on your property to transport the underground water to your property line, the Department of Public Works will install appropriate storm drainage facilities in the public right-of-way to accept the water. Please contact Mr. Emery Marko, City Engineer, if you wish to discuss this option further. I am sorry that more conclusive comments. or opinions cannot be made. If you have any additional questions regarding this matter or if you would like to discuss it further, please contact us at your convenience. Very truly yours, i)~,-,C,-,_L-..--\ ' /.(_<--C~ Michael A. Kelly /--- Director of Public l~orks ~__ MAK:DB/s cc: City Manager City Engi neer )~; .. J, '4 . Ocr 31 197 'to CITY OF 8 ~ ~g~R~GFIELDd/' :0 anager //, - ;(:> To the Springfield Planning Commission . '. '. 980 Pr~scott Lane Springfiel d, Oregon October 30, 1978 Springfield City Council Our intent here is to call your attention to the excessive amount of water goingthru our property and ask your help. The water seems to be coming off the hill on our east side. From 1954, when we built our home, to 1977, we had no problems with excessive water. In November 1977 our basement flooded: we took out more than 3.9 gallons of water. Our drain fi'eld has failed. We have clear water surfacing at the south end of the drain tile w~ich goes around the foundation. It has been there. for at least 18 months, even throughout the two surruners. The' amount is equal to a continua.l flow from a 3/4" to 1" pipe. There is also a wet, spongy area on the north side of the house. Two trees have died this last year; it looks like a third one will die. We think probably because of the water. Since none of these problems on our property showed up prior to 1977, we feel that the new construction on the hill to our east has caused this. 'We would like to have the Public Works Department look into this. Sinc~~~ ~~b;(' Ted & Jane Merydith Copies to: Mr. Tom Cochran Sprin~field Planning Dept. Mr. Gene DRvis Mr. Merwin Logan l'-ll-(~O'l . . CITY OF SPRINGFIELD--BUILDING DIVISION 346 MAIN ST. 726-3753 (BUSINESS) 726-3769 (INSPECTIONS) APPLICATION FOR ELECTRICAL LABEL(S) BY A BUILDING OWNER The Electrical Safety Law of the State of Oregon does not require a person to obtain a license as an electrician and/or electrical contractor to make an electrician in- stallation on property which is owned by himself or a member of his immediate family which is not intended for sale, lease, or rent. (PLEASE PRINT) APPLICANT'S NAME -r t), Me./:' y d i /; h 9f'/) jJ/J~~ ADDRESS PHONE 7 f)- 72- t7 L( ADDRESS FOR PROPOSED WORK ~ r (... o~J\.t:J -0' BUILDING OWNER (IF OTHER THAN APPLICANT) ADDRESS ~ PHONE ~ I certify that all of the above information is true and correct, and that no portion of any wiring system requiring a label as applied for herein and intended to be con- cealed by any permanent portion of the building or structure shall be concealed until inspected and approved. When the installation of the system is complete, an additional and final inspection shall be made. Inspections are generally required for at least the following conditions and or stages of construction: 1. Temporary Service 2. Underground Service 3. Service 4. Rough Electric 5. Cable Heat 6. New Circuits or Extensions 7. Mobile Home Connections 8. Signs 9. Swimming Pools I further certify that I will notify the Building Division when any of the above ELEC- TRICAL INSPECTIONS are ready, that all work will be done in accordance with the Electri- cal Safety Law of the State of Oregon, and that if not the building owner, I am a member of his or her immediate family. ~L-~~ I Signature Date 2.- 6-r7 INSPECTION REQUESTS SHOULD BE MADE ON THE BUILDING DIVISION'S 24 HOUR A DAY INSPECTION LINE. THE INSPECTION NUMBER IS 726-3769. INSPECTION REQUESTS WHICH ARE CALLED IN BE- FOR 7 A.M. WILL BE MADE ON THE SAME DAY. i\. -----------------------------------------------------------1t--------------------------- FOR OFFICE USE ONLY ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- RECEIVED BY I '2-'1 k, B {l~ LABEL ISSUANCE FEE .LD 0l-to-~7 .LABEL NUMBERS DATE